Hession Named Illinois League CEO

Callahan & Associates President/CEO Sean Hession will assume the same role at the Illinois Credit Union League on May 1, the league announced Tuesday.

He succeeds Dan Plauda, who is retiring on June 30 after 37 years of service to the Naperville, Ill.-based league.

Hession came from Omaha, Neb., to join Callahan in Washington, D.C., in January 2012. In his two years there, he led the firm to record performance, innovative approaches to client services and as general partner for CUFSLP, an innovation focused CUSO of 36 leading credit unions, the ICUL said in its announcement.

Prior to Callahan, Hession had served 10 years in operational roles at First National Bank of Omaha and co-founded a healthcare transaction processing firm that grew from a startup to a $40 million corporation in five years.

Hession, who has more than 30 years of general management experience, also was responsible for the strategic planning and daily operations of a vendor that served credit unions and community banks, Callahan said at the time of his hiring there.

“Sean has many great ideas for continuing ICUL’s history of growth and exceptional member service. His unique vision and drive will ensure continued success for the credit union system,” said Geri Burek, chair of the league’s search committee and president/CEO of the $51 million South Division Credit Union in Evergreen Park, Ill.

Hession said, “It is an honor to be joining ICUL as its president and CEO. The organization has a rich history and a great reputation for member services. I am eager to begin my service to Illinois credit unions and more than 2,000 LSC clients nationwide.”

Hilton Associates of The Woodlands, Texas, conducted the search for the league. Plauda had announced his retirement plans last June. The Tuesday announcement continues a string of changes at the top at the nation’s credit union leagues, including most recently the resignation of Chris Johnson at the Idaho Credit Union League and the hiring of Paul Gentile at the Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island leagues.